The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries in Africa. Within the ECTAD framework, the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) is closely working with the Emergency and Rehabilitation Division (TCE) under the Strategic Program 5 to support various aspects of the animal health programme of FAO, including the Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT-2) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Programmes.

Reporting Lines

Depending on the duty station, the Epidemiologist reports to the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO/Chief, Animal Health Services), and works under the functional and administrative supervision of the Assistant Director General/Regional Representative or FAO Country Representative, and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader or Regional Manager or Global Coordinator, and in collaboration with the Head of the Emergency Prevention System for Animal Health (EMPRES-AH), the Head of the Global Early Warning System for Livestock Diseases (GLEWS) Unit of the Animal Health Service (AGAH) and the animal production and health officers from the Regional and sub-Regional Offices and Country Offices.

Technical Focus

Technical support for risk assessments, planning and evaluation of epidemiological surveillance, data collection and analysis, contingency planning and simulation exercises, preparation of technical meetings and various epidemiology capacity development activities in target countries.

Tasks and responsibilities

Support the design and evaluation of surveillance strategies for zoonotic or transboundary animal diseases (including multi-disease surveillance strategies) and develop/update FAO guidance;

Contribute to the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training modules in relation to participatory (syndromic; multi-disease) surveillance in animals;

Support country-level evaluation of surveillance systems and assist in developing feasible, realistic and time-bound action plans to address recommendations;

Provide guidance for the active collection of information and relevant samples during surveillance activities; and assist in providing solutions and tools and platforms for field data collection and data storage/collation/analysis and provide guidance and training on the use of these tools;

Facilitate coordination of the compilation and analysis of surveillance results for zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases as prioritized by target countries;

Collect, review and consolidate available information on high impact pathogens and their circulation in animal populations including, for zoonotic pathogens, the risk and the potential for human-animal transmission and spread;

Contribute to the development of guidelines and recommendations on surveillance, management and control of high impact zoonotic pathogens in collaboration with subject matter experts and partner institutions or organizations;

Contribute to the design of surveillance and risk assessment capacity building at national and regional levels and facilitate such trainings, in close collaboration with partners; and contribute to AGAH risk assessment exercises on priority zoonotic or transboundary animal disease events and assist in producing risk assessment documents;

Prepare and attend regular coordination teleconferences or meetings to share activity reports, including challenges, and discuss solutions found and lessons learned with other project countries, regional and HQ teams;

Contribute to the organization and facilitation of technical consultations among FAO and other partners to share project results and lessons learned, as well as scientific meetings on zoonotic and transboundary animal disease surveillance with international experts and partner organizations;

Prepare regular epidemiological updates and disease situation reports on major zoonotic and transboundary animal disease threats, and contribute to the preparation of briefs, reports, presentations, webinars, public information materials and FAO publications;

Support the development of project concept notes and fundable project proposals;

Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree (for Consultants)/ University degree (for PSA) in veterinary or biological sciences and relevant post-graduate training or experience in epidemiology or disease ecology or related fields;

At least 1 years of proven experience in either the planning and implementation of surveillance programmes, risk assessment, or epidemiological data analysis – ideally in international environments or developing countries;

Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for Consultants)/ Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish (for PSA).

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus

Teamwork

Communication

Building Effective Relationships

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).

Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.

Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.

For further information on categories, contract duration and honoraria, please refer to the Conditions page.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAOand complete your online profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.

Vacancies will be removed from the recruitment portal at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.